title: Novel inanimate training model for urethrovesical anastomosis in laparoscopic radical prostatectomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We developed a novel ex vivo training model for advanced laparoscopic suturing techniques necessary in laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP).
  
  
  METHODS
  An inanimate model was developed to approximate real-life conditions in laparoscopic urethrovesical anastomosis. A segment of porcine ovarian tube inserted through a hard piece of cardboard (urethral stump) in a small open box and a part of pig stomach with a 2-cm hole (bladder neck) were placed in a specially designed setup in a traditional pelvic trainer, while the trocars were arranged in the usual five-port style during an LRP. The trainees practised suturing the "bladder neck" to the "urethral stump" with intermittent or continuous sutures according to their preferences.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The setup successfully mimicked the spatial relationships of the organs to be anastomosed during live surgery. The directions of the trocars and the angles of the instrumentations in the training model also imitated those during LRP. After practising on our models, the surgeons spent significantly less time (65 ± 24 min vs. 36 ± 12 min, p = 0.035) performing actual urethrovesical anastomosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This inanimate laparoscopic suturing training model for urethrovesical anastomosis is a novel, effective, convenient and economic training tool, especially for beginners of LRP.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Shiu-Dong
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: Huai-Ching
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Tai
authors.forename: Ming-Kuen
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.forename: Chao-Yuan
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Shuo-Meng
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Yao-Chou
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.forename: Shih-Chieh
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Chueh
authors.forename: Chun-Hou
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Liao
authors.forename: Hong-Jeng
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Yu
mesh_terms: D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000193:education*; D011468:Prostatectomy / Q000193:education* / Q000379:methods; D013536:Suture Techniques / Q000193:education*; D014521:Urethra / Q000601:surgery*; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000601:surgery*